Chris Kreider is fulfilling his wish to return to the East Coast by heading north to join the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens announced on Saturday, September 12, that they had signed the veteran forward on a one-year contract. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the deal is valued at $2.15 million, with an additional $3 million available in performance bonuses.
Kreider, who is 35 years old, recently became an unrestricted free agent after the Anaheim Ducks placed him on waivers with the intention of ending his contract. This move not only provides the Ducks with cap space to re-sign their top scorer Cutter Gauthier, whose cap hit is $6.5 million, but also gives Kreider a say in where he would play next. Having spent his first 13 NHL seasons with the New York Rangers before being traded to the Ducks in the 2025 off-season, Kreider had expressed a desire to return east, and Montreal was a team he favored.
Kreider’s reunion with the Canadiens also means he will be working with former Rangers GM Jeff Gorton and coach Martin St. Louis, who was his teammate in New York. Joining a team that made it to last season’s Eastern Conference finals, Kreider will bring veteran leadership to a young, rising squad. Although his scoring numbers have dipped somewhat recently, he managed to net 22 goals in each of the past two seasons. His new deal will see him earning $2.15 million plus potential bonuses, a significant pay cut from his previous $5 million salary in Anaheim, especially considering he has already received a $1 million signing bonus.
This signing highlights the ongoing player movement in the league and demonstrates the strategic retooling teams are undergoing before the upcoming season. Kreider’s experience and leadership could be pivotal for Montreal as they aim to contend and develop their younger talent.
Fan Take: Kreider’s move to Montreal is a win for fans who love seeing seasoned veterans take on new challenges and mentor the next generation. It could invigorate the Canadiens’ lineup and add an element of playoff experience, making the team more competitive and exciting to watch.
Why it matters to hockey fans: This news underscores the importance of veteran leadership in a team’s success and signals Montreal’s intent to remain competitive. It also reminds fans that strategic moves like these are essential to shaping the playoff landscape in the NHL season ahead.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
